Teen sensation Gout Gout has delivered his biggest performance yet to close the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships with a world Under 20 record, as Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull showed the heart of a champion to land her golden moment in Sydney.
With the eyes of the nation on him, Gout (QLD, Diane Sheppard) glided to a new Australian 200m record of 19.67 (+1.7) to become the first man to shatter the 20-second barrier, closely followed by Aidan Murphy (SA, Nik Hagicostas) in a stunning 19.88-seconds – a time that would have demolished Gout’s former national record of 20.02-seconds.
The Ipswich product blew past Usain Bolt and Erriyon Knighton on the Under 20 all-time list, becoming the fastest teenager ever over the distance and the 16th fastest man in history.
“I wrote down 19.75, and for the past week in my head I would tell myself, I’m running 19.75. And obviously 19.67, you know, gotta love it,” Gout said.
“There’s a big weight off my shoulders knowing I ran it legally and I have the speed in my body to run times like that.
“It definitely felt like I had a lot more in the tank, for sure. It feels great and I’m ready for more.”
Leaving the adversity and disappointment of the 1500m in her wake, Hull (NSW, Simon Hull) returned to the track to race the Women’s 5000m which she won in emphatic fashion, striking with a 61-second final lap to break the tape in 15:13.21 over Linden Hall (VIC, Ned Brophy-Williams) in 15:15.33.
“Physically the week has probably been the easiest, but it has been tough mentally and emotionally,” Hull said.
“I pulled it all together and it feels great. I will grow from it and I’m looking forward to a great year ahead.”
In the same race, Paralympian Annabelle Colman (VIC, Liz Gosper & Anthony De Castella, T20) broke the world record for the class. The 22-year-old Victorian ran 17:02.28 to beat the previous world best time by over eight seconds.
Soaring to her seventh consecutive Australian title, Nicola Olyslagers (NSW, Matt Horsnell) cruised over 1.99m to defeat Eleanor Patterson (VIC, Fayaaz Caan) who cleared 1.93m, with the seven-time global medallist Olyslagers raising the bar to 2.02m for three close calls.
Waving five fingers in the air for his fifth Australian crown, Peter Bol (WA, Justin Rinaldi) flexed his experience over a field of emerging stars, clocking 1:45.60 to defeat World Championships teammate Luke Boyes (NSW, Ben St Lawrence) and training partner Bob Abdelrahim (VIC, Justin Rinaldi).
It was 18-year-old Daniel Williams (NSW, Andrew Rowlings) who threw down the gauntlet in the back straight, before Bol cruised back into authority on the turn for home.
“I’m getting older but I’m getting faster,” Bol said.
“My goal is to win the Commonwealth Games and to do that I had to win the national championship today to get selection, so I’m very happy.”
Abbey Caldwell (VIC, Gavin Burren) took down Claudia Hollingsworth (VIC, Craig Mottram) in the Women’s 800m, gritting her teeth to topple the 1500m champion in a time of 1:58.57 and stamp her authority as the back-to-back champion.
In a thrilling long jump competition which featured six lead changes, Australian record holder Brooke Buschkuehl (VIC, self-coached) rose to the occasion to defeat World Under 20 champion Delta Amidzovski (NSW, Becky Amidzovski), leaping 6.67m (+1.1) in the final round to reclaim the lead.
The 19-year-old Amidzovski was forced to settle for silver with a 6.65m (-0.1) performance; Buschkuehl winning her first national title as a mum.
Showman Liam Adcock (QLD, self-coached) won the Men’s Long Jump title with an 8.26m (+0.1) performance to successfully defend his title, teasing fans with big jumps and small fouls as he chases a qualification mark for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships.
100m hurdler Michelle Jenneke (QLD, Bronwyn Thompson) landed her fifth Australian title in a scorching 12.74 (+1.3) when missing the Commonwealth Games qualification standard by just 0.01-seconds, as Emily Britton (NSW, Mick Zisti) broke 13-seconds for the first time in 12.95 for silver.
Adding to the hurdling action, three men shattered 50-seconds in the 400m hurdles, which was won by Matthew Hunt (NSW, Ben Liddy) in 49.37-seconds over Kyle Bennett (QLD, Sharon Dale) and Ashley Moloney (QLD, Andrew Iselin).
Paralympian Telaya Blacksmith (NSW, Jacinta Doyle, T20) secured the sprint double when winning the Women’s 200m Para on the BASELINE system, blazing around the inside lane in 25.54 (+1.6) to score 97.92 points – finishing behind Danielle Aitchison (NZL, T36) on 101.95 points.
The Men’s 200m Para was won by Sammy Muamba (NSW, T20) with a score of 96.10 points for his time of 22.32 (+0.4) over rising star Ullrich Muller (QLD, Stacey Taurima,T38) with 95.65 points for his 22.81-second showing.
The 2026 Australian Athletics Championships were held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre from April 9-12, with full results available HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 12/4/2026
